4 Best Tips for Negotiating a Settlement Offer
Have you been in injured and want to get the insurance settlement you’re entitled to?
After an accident, insurance companies won’t just hand over the money you’re owed. Unfortunately, they’ll often do anything they can to avoid paying up.
Even though you’re hurt, you still have to do extensive legwork to prove you deserve the settlement. You need to present your case and negotiate with the company effectively.
If you’ve been injured or are involved with a personal injury lawsuit, here are some tips for negotiating your settlement offer.
1. Report the Accident Immediately
After an accident, it’s important that you report it immediately. The longer you wait, the less likely you’ll get a fair settlement offer.
Some insurance companies have rules stating how long someone has to report. Reporting right away will ensure you don’t run into that issue.
That means if an accident happens, don’t try to be brave and tough it out. Report it and then go to the hospital even if you aren’t sure you need to.
2. Collect All Your Evidence
One common mistake people make after an accident is not going to the hospital right away. You might think you can tough it out to wait and see your general practitioner. Go to the ER anyway because those medical records can be used as evidence to support your case.
Along with medical records, collect any other evidence you can.
Call the police after the accident so you can have a police report. Get an evaluation from a medical specialist. Collect paperwork from similar cases.
You can never have too much evidence!
3. Know All Your Losses
When the dust has begun to settle after your injury, start to calculate all the losses you experienced due to the accident. These are called “personal damages.”
The more you’ve lost, the more money you should theoretically be entitled to.
Personal damages include medical bills and loss of work. There are also less tangible things that fall under the umbrella of “pain and suffering.”
Insurance companies have their own way of calculating your pain and suffering losses. But the more evidence you have to back up your claims, the better off you’ll be.
4. Don’t Do it Yourself
Plain and simple, your best chance of getting the highest settlement possible is if you don’t negotiate it. A professional understands how insurance companies work. They also have the experience of having done this before.
Hire a personal injury lawyer. Check out The Law Offices of George Salinas, PLLC for an experienced pro. Then give them all the evidence and information you collected.
By effectively working together, you’ll be able to collect the payout you deserve.
Get the Best Settlement Offer Possible
After you’ve been in an accident you need all the help you can to get back on your feet. If you use these tips, you’ll have a better chance of getting the best settlement offer possible.
Did you enjoy this article and want to read more like it? Then check out this blog to find out 5 reasons why you should hire a personal injury lawyer.
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